Staten Island AdvanceAssemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis said the "AFL-CIO represents a strong cross-section of the working people that keep our community running, from teachers to firefighters and nurses to bus drivers."

The federation is one of the largest labor organizations in the state, representing 2.5 million members including teachers, school administrators, firefighters, nurses, transit workers, operating engineers, hotel employees and electricians.

Ms. Malliotakis said the "AFL-CIO represents a strong cross-section of the working people that keep our community running, from teachers to firefighters and nurses to bus drivers."

"I appreciate this acknowledgment of my work ethic and accomplishments and I look forward to continuing to serve my constituents in the state Assembly," said Malliotakis.

AFL-CIO president Mario Cilento said the endorsement comes with "significant grassroots support."

"The endorsement of the New York State AFL-CIO is not just a piece of paper," he said. "We will coordinate grassroots campaigns and get-out-the-vote efforts throughout the state to ensure that our members understand the critical issues in these elections and just how important it is that they get to the polls and support our endorsed candidates."

With big labor traditionally supporting the Democratic Party, Ms. Malliotakis said she took the AFL-CIO's endorsements as "very much a compliment."

"It is a very influential union," she said. "These are the people who keep this city running." 